EAST LANSING — Educators everywhere are reeling this morning after yet another tragic school shooting, this time on the campus of Michigan State University.

“Our hearts go out to the victims’ loved ones, as well as to the students, faculty and staff at MSU – many of whom are MEA administrative professional members and aspiring student educators,” said MEA President Paula Herbart. “Monday’s shooting took place just a mile from MEA’s East Lansing headquarters and has deeply affected our community, both on and off campus.”

“When MSU students are with us, they are our family,” said MSU Administrative Professional Association President Martin McDonough. “This campus is their home away from home and that has been violated. We need to support our students and the rest of our Spartan community now more than ever, including ensuring that everyone gets the help they need to process their shock, grief and anger.”

MEA and MSU APA stand ready to help those efforts in any way university and community officials need.  For starters, we want to echo information that drop-in counseling services are available at East Lansing’s Hannah Community Center for MSU students, faculty, staff and their families who need to talk with someone.

“We do not yet know the circumstances that led to this horrific mass murder. What we do know is this happens far too often in our country — especially in our schools, which should be safe places for our students to learn, grow and thrive,” Herbart said.

“Our elected leaders must take immediate action to protect our students’ lives and prevent tragedies like this from happening. We must enact common sense gun safety reforms, like universal background checks and extreme risk protection orders, and we must dramatically increase mental health resources so that anyone who needs help can get help.”

Statement from NEA President Becky Pringle: We must continue to come together to end the preventable epidemic of gun violence in this country and ensure all of us can be safe in our schools and communities